A Little Update…We’re Down to Days, Where Did the Time Go?

*Last updated: July 25th, 2018

Where does the time go? It slipped away from me these past six months. Six months. Ana and I have wandered Southeast Asia for 26 weeks together, and there are just two weeks left before we board our plane for the United States and return home just in time for the hot and sticky season in Florida; a summer of humidity so dense your face melts clear down to your navel.

Oh, wait! That’s what it feels like over here now; the monsoon rains are weeks away from hitting and the air gets heavier with each word that materializes on my computer screen. Well and so, we’re prepared for another Florida summer after avoiding any signs of winter for the past six months.

Ana and I rode an old bamboo train in the outskirts of Battambang, Cambodia; these are used on the old train tracks and locals transport food and goods back and forth between towns, and through the rural rice paddies!

Right now, we’re camped out at a lovely guesthouse just outside of Kampot, Cambodia with wide open spaces, lush mango trees and plenty of jungle-gym equipment to keep Ana occupied. I’ve forced Ana to act as my tour guide over the past month, it gets her much more involved in our trip that way, and this afternoon she planned us a kayaking trip on the lower Mekong River.

Last week, we ogled at the pretty Apsara dancers, watched a Cambodian circus, saw the marvels of Angkor Wat, and generally took our last month on the road as a complete indulgence. She’s behind on her school work and I find myself spending hours merely answering emails and putting out fires between our sightseeing and epic games of Scrabble (we’re big fans of the game, and Ana’s challenged me to a winner-takes-all-the-glory re-match tonight). My site here is so behind on stories and photos I find myself continually beating myself up over the delays. It’s not that I haven’t written, I have scores of posts and stories, but to take the time to pen them, edit them, then edit and add photos meant hours of Ana sitting in a hotel room watching TV, or playing around on her computer rather than travel.

The beautiful Apsara dancers at a show in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

So, from the absence of stories and updates, one might accurately note that we’re enjoying what time we have left in complete abandon of such nonsensical things as a schedule (besides that pesky flight home out of Bangkok airport!) and enjoying our time together.

I’ve been so inspired over the past several months. Having a giggling 11-year-old to point elements of my trip that never before excited me reignited some wonder. And it’s had challenges; I’m not as cool as a cucumber when dealing with touts and haggling after bickering with Ana in our room about wearing sunscreen and hats. Psuedo-solo-parenting and traveling are a tricky combination and something I occasionally fail at, but she’s still alive, so I figure that’s a win, right? ;-)

Ana throws frangipani in the air after collecting the fallen blossoms from the floor of Wat Banan near Battambang, Cambodia (and, ::cough, cough:: I won the hat debate :)

Yes, there is more to say. But for now, for now I have a mere 14 days with my sweet little niece before we rejoin our family, and I think I’ll soak it in, I just wanted to let you know that we’re here, we’re traveling, we’re taking time to watch the last sunlight fade from the sky each day, and we’ll both have more to say once the adventure ends and we’re camped out at home thinking back on our SEA trip.

I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: Shannon, you are my hero of heroes for traveling with Ana. It’s an experience she’ll never forget, and I’m so proud that you’ve given her a true education on the road. Can you imagine how awesome the world would be if all kids her age could see the world outside their classrooms? We’re currently hosting a high school foreign exchange student from Slovakia, and it’s been an eye-opening experience to see the United States from her perspective. We’re learning things about our country that we never would have noticed without experiencing it with her. Enjoy the rest of your time on the road!

(Side note: What kind of shoes are you wearing in the top picture? They look really comfortable!)

Aww, this is so sweet! I think you shouldn’t worry about blog updates and just enjoy these last few days. I still can’t believe you did this- she is never going to forget such an amazing experience!! (And nice job Shannon on winning the hat debate ;)

It is truly a win Shannon. I have said this before- I admire your courage to be a pseudo-solo-parent to Ana. Some day you will both look back on this and say “Wow, we did all that!” We miss having you in Chiang Mai. M talks about Ana lots.

Ever since I heard about your project, I’ve been so intruiged. I am the “traveling auntie” in my family and look foward to the day when I can take my nieces on a memorable trip. Enjoy these last couple of weeks with your niece. Such incredible memories!

Agree with EJW. You’ve delivered a lifetime of memories for Ana. She not only has a more worldly perspective now, she also has the coolness factor and the ability to inspire her peers at school through her experiences and stories that she will tell.

Bravo Shannon…you hit it out the park as an adventure guide for Ana. Jo and I hope you’re getting on well over there. It’s 40+ here in BKK. We’ll be visa running to Cambodia next month ourselves, and can’t wait to see the country!

This is the story of a Florida girl (that's me!) who left her home to travel solo around the world. Years later, I am still on this journey—sometimes with my niece in tow—traveling slowly, and sharing stories and advice from life on the road.

MY BOOK

AS SEEN IN:

POPULAR RESOURCES

DISCLAIMER

A Little Adrift™ is proudly ad-free; all opinions and suggestions are my own. I make a small commission on purchases you make through a select few product links — this keeps ALA ad-free and never affects my recommendations. For my full review policy click here.